Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 September 1912 — Page 7

My Lady of the North

WILDERNESS MAS KING ** jff TOusfeafions^cArihurTMTUiamsoiv- J

CHAPTER V. A Disaster on the Road. To me she was merely a woman whom it had become my duty to protect, and whatever of chivalrgus feeling I may have held toward her was based upon nothing deeper than this knowledge. She had come to us undesired and in darkness, her form enveloped in a cavalry cloak, her face shrouded by the night. As to whether she was young or old I had scarce means of knowing, saving only that the tone of her voice and the graceful manner of her riding made me confident that she had not lost th'e agility of youth. But beyond this vague impression (it was little more), and a fleeting gleam of the starlight in her eyes as she faced me in anger, I was as totally unaware of how she really looked as though we had never met. Her very name was unknown to me. Who was this Major Brennan? Was he father, brother or husband? and was her name Brennan also? For some reason this last possibility was repugnant to me. Yet I knew not why. “You ride as though born to the saddle,” I said pleasantly; and although I spoke low, we were so close to* gether that my voice carried distinctly to her ears. “We have been sufficiently conceited to suppose that to be an accomplishment peculiar to our Southern women.” “I have been accustomed to ride since childhood,” she replied rather shortly, and I was conscious of a restraint in her manner far from pleasing. Yet I ventured upon one more effort at conversation. “Is Major Brennan an officer on Sheridan’s staff?” ‘T was not aware”—and I could not mistake the accent of vindictiveness in her voice—“that prisoners were obliged to converse against their will." “I. ask your pardon, I am sure,” I returned soberly. “But my question was not altogether an idle one. I have chanced to meet several of General Sheridan’s staff, and thought possibly Major Brennan might have been of their number. Seeing that we must associate for a time, I naturally felt it would prove pleasanter for both of us if we might discover some mutual tie.” There was no response. The road we were following here took a sudden trend downward, and we could tell from the sharper ring of the hoofs, and the spitting of flinty sparks beneath us, that we were among rocks once more. Then our horses suddenly splashed into water, and I held them up long enough to drink. I felt thirst strongly myself, ■ and slipping out of the saddle filled my canteen.

“Would you care for a drink?” I asked, stemming the stream to reach her side, and holding the vessel within easy grasp of her hand. I actually believe her first impulse was to refuse haughtily this proffered civility from an enemy of her country, but the deep sense of need con<Jliered her to accept the offering. Another hill followed, and then another, and finally we swept swiftly down a long slope densely bordered by trees and with irregular piles of rock uprearing ugly heads on either hand. I caught a swift glimpse of a rough log house on the right, so set back among trees that I half doubted its real existence, tfhen—there was a allp, the crunching of a stone, a long stumble forward that fairly wrenched my hand loose from the woman’s rein, and then, hopelessly struggling to regain his feet, my horse went down with a crash, head under, and I was hurled heavily forward upon my face. Craig, startled at the sudden crash behind him, spurred back to learn the full extent of my disaster. By this time I had regained my feet. “I’m all right, I think, sergeant,” 1 said hastily, “but the sorrel has broken her neck.” He began to swear at our 111 luck, but I stopped him with a gesture he knew better than to ignore. “Enough of that,” I commanded, “Bad fortune is seldom bettered by hard words. First of all, help me to drag this dead body out of sight.” On one side of us the bank fell away with such precipitancy that when we once succeeded in dragging our load to the edge, we experienced no difficulty in sending it crashing downward. ' The body plunged through the thick underbrush at the bottom of the oggre, where I knew it would be completely hidden, even in the glare of daylight, from the spying eyes of any troopers riding hard upon our track. As we rapidly worked on this dlsagreeable task, I thought and planned; two horses and three riders—one of these a woman in need of protection —a dispatch to be delivered by daylight, at all hazards. It was indeed a difficult proposition, and I saw only a single possible solution. One of our number must press on; two of us must remain behind. Which one? what .two? If I rode with the dis-

TBEIOVE STORY Of A GRAY JACKET

by RANDALL PARRISH AUTHOR OF

patch (and how eagerly 1 longed to do so!) and succeeded in bringing Lee’s message safe to Longstreet, it meant much to me—promotion, distinction, honor. On the other hand, if I remained behind, and Craig successfully carried out the duty which had been especially intrusted to me, I should be fortunate Indeed to escape with a reprimand instead of more serious consequences. If failure resulted, it meant certain and deserved disgrace. Yet I could absolutely trust him with the dispatch; he was a soldier, and would faithfully perform a soldier’s duty. More, he would carry the message with even greater certainty than I, for he knew the roads much better, and —I write the words hesitatingly—l could not trust him there alone with the woman. I glanced aside at him as I thus turned the perplexing situation over in my mind —a tall, gaunt mountaineer, whose sole discipline of mind and body had been the army; hardened by service until every muscle in his lean, sinewy frame was like steel, a cavalryman who would follow his leader into the Very jaws of hell, but whose morals were those of the camp, and whose face revealed audacious deviltry such as no man would care to see in one to whom he intrusted the welfare of sister or wife. “Sergeant,” I asked, flinging aside the improvised brush, “how far do you suppose we are from Longstreet’s picket line?” “Ten miles at the very best, sir,” he answered .promptly, “an’ I reckon with another Yankee outpost atween.” “With fair luck and good riding it might be made by daylight?” “I reckon as how it might, captain, if we only hed sum fresh bosses,” he said glumly; “but it’s bln mighty hard on my nag; I’ve looked fer him to roll over like yer sorrel did fer the las’ two mile.” “Well, Craig, you shall have both horses. Ride the woman’s. It is the fresher of the two; but you are to get through if you kill them both and then walk.” His face brightened, and he raised his hand in salute. “And you?” he asked, wonderingly. “I remain with the woman; there is no other way. Wait here a moment while I speak with her.” I left him standing there, and moved back to where she waited. As I came up she faced me, and for the first time (for the night had lightened somewhat) I could see her eyes and discern some faint outline of her face where the night wind flung back the upturned cape. It was a winsome sight to soldier vision, but with a certain semblance of pride and reserve about it that caused a hesitancy in my speech strange to me. “Madam,” —I rested my hand upon her horse’s mane and looked at her with a glance as proud as her own — “It might be as well for you to draw the cape closer about your face at present. There are rough men in all armies who would consider your beauty a lawless prize. The life we lead is not conducive to gentleness; virtue Is not born in camps, and It would be better not to provoke a danger which may be so easily avoided." “You claimed, I believe, to be an officer and a gentleman,” she said coldly. I smiled, even as I felt the full chill of her words, and my purpose stiffened within me. “Even as I yet claim, and trust to be able to prove to your satisfaction,” —my eyes looked unfalteringly Into hers —“but unfortunately, I have one with me tonight who is neither. 1 would that he were for my own sake. However, madam, let that pass. The fact is here, and we have no time to argue or quarrel. I have already told you that we ride with dispatches for Longstreet. These must go forward at all hazards, for thousands of human lives depend upon them; yet I dare not leave you here alone and unprotected to the mercies of the wolves who haunt these hills.” “You are exceedingly kind.” The tone in which she spoke was most sarcastic.

“I thank you for your approbation," and I bowed again; “but I venture to tell you this merely because I have already fully determined to dispatch the sergeant forward with the message, and remain behind myself to render you every protection possible.” “Vtery well, sir; I simply yield to what I am powerless to avoid,, and will obey your orders however distasteful they may be. What is your first command?” “That you dismount. The sergeant must ride your horse, as he is the more fit of the two.” Greatly to my surprise and relief she placed her gauntleted hand In mine, and, without so much as a word of protest, permitted me to swing her lightly from the saddle to the ground. “Craig,” I called, “come here. “•You know your work,” I said to him briefly. “And now the sooner you are at it the better. Ride this horse and lead your own. As soon as you deliver Lee’s message at head-

quartets, nunt up the cavalry brigade commander and report to him my position. Get a detail, insist upon one, and be back here by to-morrow without fail. That is all.” He saluted, wheeled about, swung lightly into saddle and rode off on a rapid trot, grasping, as he passed down the hill, the rein of his own mount, and leading it, lagging behind him, until the night swallowed the figures, and even the sound of the hoof-beats could be no longer heard. We were alone. (To be Continued.)

THINGS ALL OUGHT TO KNOW

As Christian Bible Students—The Satisfactory Proof of-“ Why God Permits Evil.” One of the questions which comes to nearly every thinking mind today is, “Why does God permit evil?” As we look about us in the world we observe that it is filled with sorrow and trouble, sickness and paih and every trial we could enumerate, and we cannot help wondering WHY GOD ALLOWS IT. We realize that He is almighty and that He could prevent it if He wished We read in His Word that He is more willing to do for His children than are earthly parents for theirs, and we know how much that means; yet oftentimes, it seems that those who try to do and live right have the jjwst trouble. This question is made very clear in a book entitled, “The Divine Plan of the Ages.” Every statement is backed by Scripture, and shows that while God does not sanction evil HE HAS ALLOWED SIN AND DEATH TO REIGN FOR THESE LONG SIX THOUSAND YEARS. This and many other subjects of deep interest to all of God’s people are discussed fully and in language easy of comprehension. In English, German, Swedish, Dano Norwegian, Italian, French, Greek, Hungarian, Spanish, Polish, Hollandish. [Syriac and Turko-Armenian in preparation.] 355 pages, cloth bound, 35 cents post paid. Address Bible and Tract Socle ty, 17 Hicks Street, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Lumber.

We wanfc, to sell you that bill of lumber you are figuring on getting. No matter how much or how little it may be that you want; of course you want the best and most that your money can buy. Our stock is complete and our prices as low as you can get. Estimates cheerfully figured.— Rensselaer Lumber Co.

TEACHING HEN GOOD LESSON

Poultry Gate as Shown In the lilustra- ■, tion Will Save Cussing and Garden Truck. Barrels of perspiration may be saved by the poultry gate shown herewith, which is reproduced, with the article from the New England Homestead. Whoever has unintentionally acquired the hen chasing, hen-cussing habit may cure himself with this little device. In the fence, preferably at a point near where the fowls are fed, a little door about 10 by 12 Inches is hung on the inside of the yard, so as to always swing shut without springs. It Is stopped from swinging outward by the peg shown at the right. Mrs. Hen, returning repentant from the garden, will poke her head into every mesh of the fence in her efforts to rejoin ber happy companions. The gate will thus allow her to enter without excitement or commotion from the lord of the harem from the Irate owner. - But another advantage may be gained by using the gate in connection with the laying pens. If the two gates are used, one opening inward

Garden or Nest Gate.

in front of the nest, the other opening outward at the back or the side, so that the hens may go to another yard after laying, the poultryman may know which hens have and have not laid. Thus he may avoid the trouble usually connected with ordinary trap nests.

Breeders for Next Year.

This Is the season of the year to buy your breaders for next, as now the large breeders are selling at bargain prices in order to have the room needed for the growing stock.

Read The Democrat for news.

Rosebud Farm and Mill, two miles east of Parr Phone 507B (Jasper Co.) Rensselaer Exchange, P. O. Parr, Ind. FOR SALE Clover hay in the mow; sl2 per ton. Purchaser must get it out.—AMOS H. ALTER & SON, Parr, Ind., R-l.

PERSUADING MARY PROVED BIG JOB

By JUNE GAHAN.

"Have you spoken M to Mary Agatha?” asked Mr. Dickson of his wife. “You mean about Ford Layton?” es —l happened to meet young Dlsbrow coming out of the gate and it set me thinking. I hope Mary won’t be dazzled by Dlsbrow’s glitter and flash and overlook the pure gold of Ford’s character.” Mrs. Dickson shook her head. ‘Tm afraid she will, James—girls are that way.” ‘ You were not —eh?” Mr. Dickson pinched his wife's plump cheek as he passed on into his study. “Oh, there never was anyone just like you, James. I think Ford Layton comes nearer than anybody else. I wish Mary could see it in the same light.” “She seems to like him, too.” “The child is charming to him—only I’m afraid she is rather dazzled by Billy Disbdow.” “Agatha, my dear, suppose you just drop a word of advice —if she doesn’t take it well, send her to me,” suggested Mr. Dickson, as he left the room. A moment later Mary entered, star-ry-eyed, lovely, graceful, her sweet lips set in a tender smile. “All alone, Momsy?’ she asked, as she dropped a light kiss on her mother’s white hair. “Yes, dear. Sit down here a moment, Mary,” and Mrs. Dickson, with a wistful look at the starry eyes and thq, tender lips, sighed at the idea of giving up this sweet daughter to any one of the young men who persistently wooed her. “Well?” asked Mary, expectantly. “Billy Dlsbrow called this afternoon, didn’t he, dear?” asked Mrs. Dickson, hesitatingly. “Yes.” “I'm sorry, dear, but you are sure you are not making a mistake?” Mrs. Dickson stumbled over the words. “I’m quite sure, Momsy,” said Mary quietly, and just then she was called away and Mrs. Dickson stepped to the study door and spoke to her husband. “Mary says she Is sure she is not making any mistake, James,” she said gravely. “If she really wants to marry Billy Dlsbrow W’e must do all we can to make her happy. He is not bad—merely w§ak.” “The deuce!” exclaimed Mary’s father, frowning, When Mary came into the study to tell him that dinner would be ready In fifteen minutes and there was barely time for him to dress, Mr. Dickson pulled his only daughter down on his knee. “I met Billy Dlsbrow coming out pf the gate, Mary 1 hope you won’t be foolish.” He hesitated. Mary looked at him with troubled eyes. “I suppose he is what you would call a good match,” she murmured, unwillingly. "Of course, you don’t have to think pf that, my dear.” “ “He’s nice, too, father. He has a lovely disposition.”

“Well—daughter, think it over, and don’t decide hastily. I haven’t seen Ford around lately. I’m sorry, too." “Oh, you won’t be —later—when you know!” she said quickly. “Know what?” he asked, curiously. “Oh, I can’t tell you just now, father! Not until tomorrow. Do you know what day It is?” “It’s the twenty-fifth anniversary of our wedding day.” “What I’ve got to say will be your wedding gift from me,” whispered Mary, and then she ran away. While dessert was being served Mary was called away from the table by a ring at the telephone. When the three elders were alone, Qreat-Aunt Becky spoke up. “I saw young Billy Dlsbrow going away from here this afternoon. I hope Mary is not leading him a dance. I believe I will speak to her.” They were leaving the room when Aunt Becky asked Mary to help her into the big ’ chair in front of the drawing-room fire. Mary’s parents discreetly withdrew to another room. It was possible that Aunt Becky might accomplish where they had failed. She was an old lady of keen Insight Into human nature and a wide experience.

“My dear,” began Aunt Becky, abruptly, “why under the sun are yott going to marry Billy Dlsbrow?” Mary started at her great aunt. “But I’m not going to marry him,’* she said at last. “Whom are you going to marry, then?” demanded Aunt Becky, with very bright eyes. “Ford Layton,” confessed Mary, with crimsoning cheeks. “I’ve been trying to break the news to all of you, but you Insist on urging me to marry Billy Dlsbrow so I thought I’d wait until Ford —he’s coming tomorrow—and I promised to tell before he came.” “My dear Mary, they were trying to warn you against young Disbrow!” exclaimed Aunt Becky, delighted beyond measure at this outcome. “You shall have my diamond chain for a wedding present!’ “Aunt Becky, you’re a dear!” cried Mary, hugging her warmly. “I don’t see how any one could dream of my caring for any one but Ford.” “What was young Dlsbrow doing here today?” ‘T geuss—he was here to hear me say 'No’ to him,” admitted Mary. “And why did he telephone you tonight?” “I rather think he wanted to hear me say it again,” she smiled, ruefully. "Shall we |go and tell father and mother?” (Copyright. IM2. by Associated Literary • .. • Press.)

Mr. William A. Ra<Jford will answer Questions and give advice FREE OF COST on all subjects pertaining to the subject of building, for the readers of this paper. On account of his wide experience as Editor, Author and Manufacturer, he is, without doubt, the highest authority on all these subjects. Address all inquiries to William A. Radford, No. 178 West Jackson boulevard, Chicago, 111,, and only enclose two-cent stamp for reply.

Almost perfect as regards comfort and economy, is the little house illustrated in the perspective view and floor-plans herewith. It is a 6-room house, 27 feet wide by 38 feet long, exclusive of the porch. It would be difficult to put the same amount of building material together in any other form to make such a perfect arrangement of rooms, and not exceed in cost the amount of money that this house can be built for. Prices vary so much in different parts of the country that it is impossible to make an estimate of cost which will apply to every location; but a range varying from $1,400 to $1,700 may be given as a rough estimate for this cosy little cottage. The tastes of individuals in selecting materials has a great deal to do with the cost of a house—in quality of finish and hardware. The cost of extra fine locks and hinges is not so much in Itself; but if the same grade of furnishing is carried throughout, there will be a great difference in the final footlng-up of the bill. We have all heard the story about the man who was ruined by a pair of lace curtains. When the curtains were hung, it was discovered that everything else about the house must be in keeping or the curtains would not look right. It seems very easy to set a higher standard, but it Is difficult to live up to It, because any high-ideal standard has so many branches leading off in different directions, and it is the follow-ing-up of the different branches that Involves so much expense. This is a style of house that will never go out of fashion. We may have fads about different kinds of entranceways and different arrangements of rooms; we may do away with the hall; we may do away with the front room; but after we have experimented with all the different arrangements posslsible to make, we shall come back to

the front hall and the front stairway going up from it-with a good, comfortable living room to one side, as an old standby for the most satisfactory and desirable entrance to a dwelling. Every woman likes to have a front hall and a front stairway,, and she does not care to ha*c the stairway placed in some Inconvenient corner just because that happens to be a fad. Some of the peculiar structures that are now being built will be considered freaky and undesirable in a few years’

First Floor Plan.

time. They may look very pretty when new, and the oddities worked into them may appeal for a time to certain young folks who think they want something smart qr a little different from the ordinary; but such people usually acknowledge after a while that they made a mistake in selecting the house plan they did. One of the most desirable features in this house is the two open flreplaces

IDEAS FOR HOME BUILDERS

BY WMARADFORD.

—one In the living room and the other in the dining room. It is Intended, of course, to heat the house with a small furnace in the cellar; but there are many days in the spring and fall when we do not want a furnace fire, and yet the house Is too chilly and uncomfortable without some artificial heat. Then, too, there is a saving in the winter time by running the furnace low, and having a grate fire to keep one room Wann enough to sit in. A temperature of 60 to 65 is warm enough for the whole house if you have the dining room or living room heated up to about 72. By managing this way, probabaly a ton of coal would be saved during the winter. But there is a greater advantage than this. The open fire is not only the most cheerful fire that you can have, but it Is the best ventilator that

was ever put into a house. You cannot have good air in a dwelling without some proper means of changing it, and this should be continuous. You can open the doors and windows once in a while, and let the foul a'jt out and the fresh, pure air from outside come In and take its place; but you can’t be doing this all the time. On the other hand, a fire In the grate Is drawing the foul air from near the floor all the time, and sending it up

the chimney. Good air from outside comes in through the cracks around the doors and windows to take it* place. Some people make the mistake of using double windows and rubber strips to keep this pure air out. I do not understand Intelligent people doing that w’ay in these days of education. Everyone knows that pure air is absolutely necessary for good health, and I cannot understand the peculiar mental process by which people can deliberately set themselves to wqrk to shut out their greatest neces* slty. I have acquaintances who never open a window if they can help it. I notice they usually open their pocketbooks every little while to pay a doctor’s bill. There is, however, no law to compel them to breathe pure air if they don’t want to. Another point of superiority about this house is the arrangement of the dining room, china closet, pantry, and kitchen. It would be difficult to Invent an arrangement better than this for a woman who does her own work. There is, in addition, a good closet off the dining room, to hold a hundred things which a woman likes to have . near by, but which are not always in sight. The fine, large dining room windows is a good place, for example, for the sewing machine; but a woman does not care to store a sewing machine in the dining room.'* With the arrangement here given, the machine can easily be wheeled into the closet, and left there until wanted next time. A built-in back porch that can easily be screened against flies and mosquitoes, is another very good feature. It is impossible to keep flies out of the kitchen when they are gathered in multitudes on the back porch. A screen door is not sufficient. It is difficult and expensive to screen some porches, but this one is an exception. Screening can be done so easily that there is no excuse for leaving the 'porch® open as an invitation for flies and mosquitoes.

Second Floor Plan.